Gabitril Fact Sheet
Cephalon
Adjunctive treatment of epilepsy.
- A small amount of evidence for efficacy in anxiety; used sometimes for substance abusers as a non-addictive alternative to benzos, but evidence of efficacy for this is lacking.
GABA Reuptake Inhibitor
Supplied in 2 mg, 4 mg, 12 mg, and 16 mg tablets.
- Dosing recommendations in PDR are applicable to epileptic patients already on other anti-seizure meds that induce Gabitril’s metabolism, so these are not applicable to typical psychiatric dosing.
- In psychiatry, anecdotal reports suggest starting at 2 mg BID and increasing by 2 mg increments as needed. Max recommended PDR dose is 32 mg QD.
- No dose adjustment required for elderly or in renal impairment. Reduce dose in patients with hepatic impairment.
Most common are dizziness, sedation, jitteriness, tremor, and impaired memory/concentration.
- Postmarketing reports have shown that Gabitril can induce seizures in patients with no history of epilepsy, although this is rare.
Metabolized by CYP 3A and several other enzymes. Enzyme inducers such as Tegretol (carbamazepine) may decrease Gabitril levels.
High fat meals decrease rate of absorption.
- Half-life 7-9 hours.
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